Downtown Payson Group working to revitalize downtown area An organization formed to breathe life into Payson’s historic downtown area is already seeing success as it focuses on activities, beautification efforts and an upcoming reconstruction of Main Street. In 2018, three Payson businessmen formed Historic Downtown Payson, a nonprofit group “organized for preservation, restoration, beautification, utilization, upgrade, development and marketing of Payson’s designated historic downtown area,” according to HDP’s mission statement. Since then, the organization has hosted a variety of activities, including a summer block party; a Halloween extravaganza with a costume parade, pie-baking contest and jack-o-lantern carving contest; and a Christmas decorating contest for downtown businesses with prizes for the winners. “This is a very unique gem down here, and we want to assist and enhance the charm of our historic downtown area. We want to make it family centered, and we want downtown to become a destination rather than a byway,” said Ty Jones, managing agent at the Insurance Center in Payson. Jones is president of HDP; the other two founders are Ashley Guy of Goofy Guys and Dr. Thor Mongie of Balanced Health of Payson. The downtown activities are being led by Dr. Mongie and a group of local business owners serving on the activities committee. “Many people who grew up in Payson recount to me a time when downtown was the place to come in
Photo by Jon Mott
your free time,” Jones said. His organization is trying to bring that feeling back by attracting residents of surrounding areas to downtown Payson through activities and encouraging unique businesses to locate in the area. The organization is also working to make downtown a safe, entertaining, fun and unique place to come and enjoy for patrons and a place where business owners are proud to occupy and operate a business. Payson City recently installed a sound system in the downtown area through which holiday music will be played each Christmas season. HDP will also be able to utilize the sound system to make announcements during future events. Historic Downtown Payson is working closely with Payson City as part of its efforts to improve the downtown
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area. Representatives of HDP and the City of Payson have come together in a group known as the Main Street Initiative. This group meets monthly to discuss downtown issues. Jones also sits as chairman of this committee. One of the largest issues it is facing is the reconstruction of Main Street through the downtown area. Payson City was able to obtain funding from the State of Utah to assist in the repair of Main Street, which has many infrastructure problems underneath the roadbed. “It’s going to be a huge project that could start as early as this fall,” Jones said. The initiative is working to find grants to fund projects such as improving rear building entrances to help businesses get through the construction with as little impact as possible. After the construction phase, the committee will move to another phase to create dining and retail experiences unique to downtown Payson. The city has been working with a third party to collect input from the public regarding what they would like to see done as part of the Main Street road improvements. This could include things such as updating sidewalks, trees and parking. Historic Downtown Payson is providing its input as well. For more information about downtown activities, search for “Payson City Downtown Activities” on Facebook.
